GAME NOTES: After suffering a heartbreaking loss at nationally-ranked Georgia
last weekend, the 10th-ranked LSU Tigers will try to rebound on Saturday
evening when they pay a visit to fellow SEC Western Division member
Mississippi State.

The Tigers rose all the way to No. 6 in the polls following a 4-0 start, which
included impressive wins over TCU (37-27) and Auburn (35-21), and they had an
opportunity to cement themselves as one of the nation's best in a marquee
showdown with the Bulldogs last Saturday. But after scoring the go-ahead
touchdown with under five minutes to play, they surrendered the game-winning
score with 1:47 left as they suffered the tough 44-41 loss.

"The good news about the Georgia game is we played awfully hard," LSU head
coach Les Miles said. "Guys gave everything they had. I think we had guys
trying to do too much. Just make one more play. One More play and we win.
That's certainly for the coaches to address and get prepared."

Mississippi State has alternated losses and wins this season, which has led to
a 2-2 record. Although the Bulldogs lost their SEC opener to Auburn on Sept.
14 (24-20), they bounced back a week later with a 62-7 rout of Troy to start
their current four-game homestand.

"We will hopefully get healed up and get our guys ready to go against LSU,"
said coach Dan Mullen, who's team had a much-needed bye last week to overcome
some crucial injuries.

LSU has a commanding 70-33-3 lead in the all-time series with Mississippi
State and has been especially dominant in recent years, winning 13 straight
matchups and 20 of the last 21 overall.

LSU is off to its best offensive start in school history. On top of scoring
42.8 ppg, it has amassed at least 400 yards in each of the first five games
for the first time ever.

The Tigers' outstanding offense is largely due to the improved play of their
quarterback. With 13 touchdown passes, Zach Mettenberger has already surpassed
his total from 2012, and he has thrown for nearly 280 yards per game at a 64.1
percent completion rate with just one interception. Mettenberger, formerly a
backup at Georgia before being dismissed from the team in 2010, threw for a
career-high 372 yards against in his return to Athens last week.

"I think what he did, how he played, gave us every opportunity at victory,"
Miles said.

Since being suspended for the first game of the season, Jeremy Hill has been
outstanding out of the backfield, amassing 437 yards while scoring seven
touchdowns. Terrence Magee (225 yards, three TDs) is also a big-play threat,
averaging 7.0 ypc.

Mettenberger is locked in on Jarvis Landry (34 receptions, 520 yards, seven
TDs) and Odell Beckham (26 receptions, 507 yards, four TDs), who rank third
and fourth, respectively, in the SEC in receiving yards. No one else has more
than four receptions.

LSU's defense had a bit of a meltdown against a potent Georgia squad, but the
unit has still performed admirably in allowing 24.4 ppg behind only 346.8 ypg.

Lamin Barrow is the leading tackler with 30, with D.J. Welter and Jermauria
Rasco hot on his heels with 26 stops apiece. Jalen Mills has two interceptions
to lead the secondary, while Jordan Allen has racked up a pair of sacks and a
forced fumble.

Mississippi State's offense has also been strong, amassing 34.0 ppg and 463.8
ypg, and the unit has done a great job of controlling the clock as it earns
more than 35 minutes of possession time per game.

The Bulldogs' success has come largely without starting quarterback Tyler
Russell, who has missed three games with a concussion, but he is on track to
play against LSU. Dak Prescott (709 passing yards, 215 rushing yards, eight
total TDs) has filled in admirably in Russell's absence.

The running backs have been held in check in the early going, with both Ashton
Shumpert (128 yards, two TDs) and LaDarius Perkins (109 yards) being held to
fewer than 4.5 ypc.

Jameon Lewis is a great downfield threat, compiling 248 yards and two scores
on just 12 receptions. Robert Johnson (10 catches, 158 yards) is the only
other player on the roster with double-digit receptions.

Defensively, Mississippi State has been stingy, ranking third in the SEC in
points allowed (14.8 ppg) and second in yards (310.0 ypg).

Deontae Skinner is a multi-talented linebacker, racking up 23 tackles, 2.0
TFL, a sack and an interception. Nickoe Whitley has a pair of picks, and
Benardrick McKinney leads the way with 24 tackles.

Mississippi State certainly has the defense to remain competitive against even
the toughest opponent, as it showed in the season opener against nationally-
ranked Oklahoma State. That said, the Tigers are out for blood following last
week's devastating loss.